Haryana Health Minister, Mr. Anil Vij inaugurated two RT-PCR Testing laboratories in Sirsa and Rewari for testing of COVID-19

Chandigarh, August 24 – Haryana Health Minister, Mr. Anil Vij inaugurated two RT-PCR Testing laboratories in Sirsa and Rewari for testing of COVID-19 through video-conferencing. This has augmented the number of laboratories in the state to 23.

The Health Minister said that similar laboratories for COVID-19 testing have been set up in 14 government hospitals and medical colleges besides nine private laboratories are conducting this test in the state. He further added that we have decided to set up such laboratories in all districts across the state. Sharing more details he added that the state will soon be collecting 20,000 tests samples in a day which is remarkable and it will help in identifying the extent of spread of the coronavirus besides formulating strategies to combat it.

It was also informed that in the last few months the month-wise testing has increased. The month-wise average testing per day in March was 30 which witnessed a sharp increase in April to 880. The health officers further spruced up the testing capacity and it jumped to 2,930 in April, further climbed to 11,238 in July and with the persistent efforts of the officers concerned it has reached 15,291 average tests per day in the month of August.

Sharing details of the testing laboratories, Additional Chief Secretary Health, Mr. Rajeev Arora said that we have focused on basics i.e. Tracing, Tracking, Testing and Treatment of which testing is an essential ingredient. He further added that four more RT-PCR laboratories will be set up at Jind, Bhiwani, Panipat and Yamunanagar. The districts leading in COVID-19 testing are Faridabad, Gurugram, Rohtak, Sonipat and Hisar.

The Minister was apprised during the video conferencing that in all the testing laboratories set-up across the state around 9.45 lakh cumulative sample tests were conducted till now, of which 2.68 lakh were Rapid Antigen Tests and remaining were RT-PCR tests.

Among others present in the video conferencing were Managing Director, Haryana Medical Services Corporation, Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat Haryana Health Protection Authority, Mr. Ashok Kumar Meena, DGHS, Director Health Services Dr. S.B. Kamboj and other senior officers of the Health Department.

Chandigarh, August 24 – Haryana Transport Minister, Mr. Mool Chand Sharma made a surprise check on National Highway-2 from Ballabgarh to Faridabad and impounded 10 vehicles including 6 buses plying without documents.

The Transport Minister said that vehicles that are illegally carrying passengers in the State are defrauding the government and all such vehicles will not only be seized but strict action will also be taken against the negligent officers.

Today afternoon, Mr. Mool Chand Sharma paid a surprise visit at the Ballabhgarh bus stand, where five private buses were found illegally boarding passengers on the spot. Besides this, a water tanker was also found plying without papers, which was impounded on the spot. The Transport Minister also directed the Station House Officer to tighten the noose around all such private vehicle drivers who indulge in this illegal business.

During this, the Transport Minister also inspected the bus station and directed the General Manager to fix the cleaning system inside the bus station and workshop. He said that auction of non-operational buses standing in the workshop should also be conducted at the earliest.

He said that in view of the increasing traffic, 125 bus stands have been constructed and at many places bus stands on PPP model and state-of-the-art facilities are being built and Ballabhgarh bus stand will also be developed on PPP model.

Chandigarh, August 24 – Haryana Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Sandeep Singh has congratulated the talented sportspersons and coaches of Haryana for being selected for the National Sports Awards.

He said that Ms. Rani Rampal, former Indian hockey captain and Mr. Vinesh Phogat wrestler will be honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award on the upcoming Sports Day.

Similarly, shooter, Ms. Manu Bhaker, hockey player, Ms. Deepika Thakur, boxer, Mr. Manish Kaushik, Para-shooter, Mr. Manish Narwal, Kabaddi player, Mr. Deepak Niwas Hooda, Para-athlete, Mr. Sandeep Chaudhary will be honoured with the Arjuna Award.

He informed that the Dronacharya Award will be conferred on Kabaddi Instructor, Mr. Krishan Kumar, Wrestler, Mr. Om Prakash Dahiya. Similarly, Mr. Manpreet Singh, Kabaddi player and Wrestler, Mr. Netrapal Hooda will be honoured with the Dhyan Chand Award.

Mr. Sandeep Singh said that the Haryana players have outshone not only in India but abroad as well. He said that the ‘Haryana Sports and Physical Activities Policy-2015’ implemented in the state has taken various initiatives to boost the morale of the players.

He said that Haryana Government has recently approved a scheme to give an incentive amount of Rs. 5 lakh in advance to the players who have qualified in the Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Earlier the players were given an incentive amount of Rs. 15 lakh after they had played Olympics and Paralympics. While at the time of preparing for these competitions, players remained in great need for this incentive as during the preparations a healthy diet and many other things are needed, which cost a lot. Therefore, keeping in mind the needs related to diet and various other preparations, the government has approved the scheme for giving Rs. 5 lakh as an advance incentive to the players who have qualified in the Olympics and Paralympics. The outstanding amount will be made available to them after they participate in the Olympics.

Mr. Singh said that under the ‘Haryana Sports and Physical Activities Policy-2015’, players have been given many facilities like cash incentives and reservation in jobs. Haryana is emerging as a leading sports hub in the country due to an excellent sports policy.

Chandigarh, August 24: Haryana Minister of State for Archaeology & Museums and Labour & Employment, Mr. Anoop Dhanak said that Late Mr. Satpal Bhakar sacrificed his life while serving the country and the whole nation is proud of his martyrdom.

Mr. Anoop Dhanak visited the house of Martyr Mr. Satpal Bhakar in Agroha today to console his family members.

Wishing peace for the departed soul, the Minister of State said that the life of a martyr is a source of inspiration for every person. The country and the state will always be indebted to the soldiers who protect the nation.

It is worth mentioning that Late Mr. Satpal Bhakar, born in the village Bhoda Hosnak in 1988, was martyred in Ladakh on August 15, 2020. The martyr was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday.

Chandigarh, Aug 24 – Haryana Police today arrested five persons in Hisar district on the charges of attempting to cheat in Haryana Staff Selection Commission exam for PTI recruitment.

Giving information in this regard, a spokesman of Haryana Police said that Mandeep, a resident of village Danoda Kalan who planned to provide answer key to an examinee in the examination centre was arrested following a complaint by the centre supervisor.

Following this, an investigation has been started by registering a case on the complaint of the supervisor of Government Senior Secondary School, Jahajpul Hisar. In addition to Mandeep, four others have also been arrested during the course of investigation identified as Vikram resident Khanda Khedi, Bhupendra of Narnaund, Sunita of Patel Nagar, Hisar and Yudhveer of Badchappar.

The above four accused had joined the Government Senior Secondary School, Jahajpur, Hisar as examinees. As per preliminary investigation, accused Mandeep had attempted to provide the answer key to Sunita by using a card of jammer operator. He was nabbed by the supervisor and police while he was going to provide the answer key. The accused could not succeed in his attempt.

The accused are being interrogated and a thorough investigation into the case is on. All will be produced in court tomorrow.